painting with Ry

Everything is more fun with cousins. Ryan is especially fun to do projects with because of the way he reacts when Mason does things "his way". In other words, we enjoy Ryan's astonishment when Mason makes a mess or mixes paint colors or uses his fingers. Ry keeps looking at me to see if I'm okay with it.

(note to self: where are the soap experiment pictures from the fall? I don't remember posting them and speaking of messes...)

run run run run runaway

(name THAT song)

So Mason tried to run away from home *again* today. It's like he's so upset at me he can't stand to stick around. Like last time, he put on this shoes and bolted out the door. This time he decided he'd take his bike, which was wedged and stuck under the stroller. Without saying anything, I walked over and moved the stroller. He still got mad at my interference. Mason peddled to the end of the driveway where he noticed his tire was flat. Then the neighbor ladies came over and started bugging him. He put his head on the handle bars and just cried. Again, without saying anything, I picked him up and took him inside. Within minutes he was cheerful again and asking why corn dogs are called corn dogs when they don't have corn or dogs in them.

I don't know what to do about this strange running away behavior. The first time it happened he ran outside, took a lap around the yard, and then ended up on the porch with his face in his hands. I feel like I need to keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't go too far, but to not really interfere. I know that sometimes I feel like I need to run off some extra emotions. Perhaps he does too.

Dr. Starr

Jason has an ancestor, the first Starr to come to America I believe, named Dr. Comfort Starr.
Mason got a little doctor kit for Christmas and has enjoyed giving us all checkups. We are planning a surgery for Yellow Puppy after the new year.
 

 

 

We have a lot of fun

 

 

Brother's Birthday

I told Mason we needed to get Eli a present for his birthday. Mason quickly started pointing out things in his room that he was willing to give Eli. Mason's big heart continuously teaches me lessons.

We also took a special "date" trip, just the two of us, to the Dollar Store to pick something out for Eli. Mason picked out a few things that, say, a three year old would love. I reminded him we were only shopping for his brother and then showed him on the package where it said not for babies. Mason carefully went up and down each and every aisle in the store examining different objects and occasionally asking what age they would be good for. At last he picked out this, which is a really really good present for Eli. A package of pom poms and a container to put them in.

Oh I love the brother effect.

He says

I had to call the police to report our Jeep window being broken. When I got off the phone Mason says "Remember when we had to call the police when Elijah Parker Starr came out of your stomach?" Sure do.

Mason noticed Joe's jeep at our house. He asked where he was and I reminded him "Joe went to be a solider for a while." Mason says "Why doesn't he want to be a man anymore?"

After a night of coming in my bed, sleeping on the floor, begging for milk for a half hour around three, both of us nodding off in the recliner, and then being put back in his own bed, he wakes up in the morning and proudly says "Look! I slept in my own bed all night!"

(quick change)

Mason's blog address is changing to theamazingmason.blogspot.com
Any easier to remember? well no, but it's more fitting. Change happening in three...two..one...now!

Risky Business

Oh the fun Mason had this afternoon after church... Pardon the pic of Tom in his underoos.

just some pictures

Hyro and Mace and their Future Missionary name tags. Watch out world.

Fingerpainting Mason. Right after this picture he tried to finish eating that apple on the table without using his hands. It was entertaining to say the least.

 

Richfield Style

 

What is he up to?

It's the strangest feeling letting your child leave your home and your supervision, get on a bus, and drive away to school.

I often wonder what his days are like and what he does.

His speech therapist, Vickey, sent these pictures home.

I actually have more questions than answers now...

a few more Masonisms

I thought I lost this list of crazy stuff that comes out of Mason's mouth:

• I'm going to have five kids. (What are you going to name them?) Elli, Eli, Elli, Yellow Puppy, and Puppy. 
• When I grow up I'll be daddy and when Eli grows up he'll be Mason!
• Oh yeah Jose!
• Open Seseme! (He got this one from Dauvey)
• Nope, Go FISH! (his response to any question)
• (singing) Oatmeal Donald had a farm
• (singing ABC song) Next time you won't sing with me

Speaking of ABCs, he thinks the third letter is pronounced "sees". Try telling him it's not!
Last but not least,

• Can you please get your junk out of my space bubble?

Masonisms

Mason is always asking what time it is, and what that means. For example he'll say what time is it. I say 8 o'clock. What does that mean? Time for breakfast.

The other day we were playing and I asked Mason what time it was.
"It's eighteen thirty seven"
"Oh really? What does that mean?"
"Time to eat Eli!" and he ran over to his brother and started om nom nom'ing on his stomach.

Other common phrases:

• Oh my goodness!
• I am so excited!
• That is so beautiful!
• Hey, put your seatbelt on! We'll get a ticket!
• What was THAT all about?
• Eli is always so funny.
• You knucklehead.
• to Jason: I'm telling my mom on you (really really wish he hadn't picked this line up)

I wrote earlier how he told me his teacher commented that he didn't talk very much. Now that phrase has become a joke to him and he'll say "mom, you don't talk very much".

One of the things Mason says all the time is "How can I help?" He loves to be involved in whatever it is we are doing. He helped fold laundry, take out trashes, wash dishes, scrub bathrooms, and has started making noodles and PB&J sandwiches for lunch.

Mason has made huge progress with his manners. He's learned to say it once or the answer is no (for when he repeats the same line fourteen times). He has learned to say it nicely of the answer is no (for when he barks out an order). He has learned that manners get results.

Lately when he really really wants something, he'll phrase it this way:
"I want the answer to be yes, may I have more please?" or "I want the answer to be yes, can I watch a movie in your room?"

Mason and Mom

Oh the fun times we have together!

one of THOSE days

It's a school day. Mason got up, got dressed, and ate just fine. I thought that we were off to a great start. Then everything fell to pieces. His waist band starting bothering him. Something is wrong with Eli and Mason was really upset and concerned about his sick brother. He couldn't find Yellow Puppy and then he tripped when heading out to the bus. I think he was pretty hurt. He continued to the bus but his crying got louder with each step. I (barefoot in the snow) tried to convince him to come back inside and stay home or at least let me drive him to school. He said he wanted to go on the bus, but was still really crying. He got on, and they drove away.

I paced around for a bit, trying not to think of him sad, hurt, or embarrassed, and then called his teacher. I love that woman. I love how calming she was as she recognized I was the one needing comforting. Miss Clara promised to give him lots of love and make sure he was okay. She called back when the bus arrived and said he had recovered and was just fine.

I don't even know how to explain this picture from last week.

I can't stop thinking about what a difficult child I was and the heartache I caused my mom. Not only did I go to school screaming and crying most days the first couple years, but she had to drag me there. Mason still wanted to go and bravely did what he needed to do. I was the devil child who threw tantrums if my pony tail wasn't right. I always did everything I could to get out of going to school, even through high school. Mason on the other hand loves school days, has no fear or trepidation about going, and is so sad when he misses a day.

I often say Mason looks just like his dad and acts just like his Mom. He and I are more sensitive, more emotional, and have some sensory issues that make us a little finicky. But when Mason got on that bus today, I thought of Jason who rarely ever missed school and always goes to work no matter how sick he is. I think he got his bravery and dependability from his dad.